Thread: Skin irritation, skin products, soaps etc.

Recently i have learned another valuable lesson…..

It's true I like many believed shaving with a straight razor would give me fantastic results and less skin irritation, but recently I wasn't getting the results I wanted, but knew I could achieve.

I have been shaving with a straight for a relatively short time but I know I can get repeatable results every time. I realise shaving everyday is possible and the shave doesn't need to be BSS in fact a 2 pass DFS is preferable for me, but for optimal results a three pass shave every other day will give me an achievable and repeatable BSS with no irritation. I have also discovered that a BSS is only preferable when spending "close time" with the wife, otherwise it's not worth attempting as visually a DFS and a BSS are too close to call.

I know this because as I learned straight shaving I stuck with one soap and one aftershave. I started with Proraso green cream and Old spice aftershave. If I used a balm it was Nivea Sensitive skin balm. I had used this combo for ages with no ill effects, So like I say tried and tested.

So back then the only variables daily where my skill and the edge of the razor. Some days cuts, Irritation, bumps, weepers other days a DFS with no irritation at all. All down to the learning curve, if I hacked I paid.

However recently something changed, extra sensitive skin became my norm, even though I was getting buttery smooth shaves. So what changed, how did I get here?

I believe it's because I started acquiring lots of soaps and smells that are regularly talked about on here. I read of people rotating their products and using whatever they fancied on that particular day. I did the same with a mixed bag of products. The only problem with this is I now have a load of untested or tried products and consequently have suffered with dryer skin, and am more prone to irritation even though my shaving and honing/stropping skills are much better. In fact I got hot the other night (several hours after shaving) and my skin decided to look like post "my first ever" shavette shave with added alcohol splash. Not good. Not comfortable.

So last week I decided to stick to one soap, to apply one known balm and a cologne and see how things went. I opted for Mitchel's Wool Fat. Nivea sensitive Skin Balm (no alcohol), and cologne behind the gills not on the chops. My purpose to evaluate the soap. The end of the week and my face is dry and tight. I know its not the Nivea as it's a tried and trusted product or is it the cologne as I have not applied it to my face, So It seems MWF is the reason and consequently It will go on the shelf for a while and be used again for a week or so later to see if the experience with dryness is repeatable. If it is it will go.

This week I have gone back to my original Proraso cream and so far my skin feels better and less tight I have a couple more days to go but I'm confident It will return my skin to normal. Im still using the Nivea sensitive skin balm and colognes as I want to be sure the dryness will disappear.

I guess what I'm trying to say is if your struggling with irritation and sensitive skin, is it your technique or new products that are causing you issues. All soaps and products are not equal for all men.

It seems to me, I need to use my noodle, and when I add a new product I should stick with it for several days to evaluate it properly. This way I will get to know my products and their effects on my skin, and eventually I will have a rotation of the greatest soaps and products that my skin truly loves.

So my aim this year will be to find a range of products and scents that I love and my skin loves too.

Anybody else had similar experiences?

MWF contains Lanolin - maybe you have a slight intolerance. If Proraso is OK, try similar products and see if they work just as well whilst keeping the same routine and just one variable.

Something I would try is perhaps a heavier balm/moisturiser to avoid dry skin.

Originally Posted by UKRob

MWF contains Lanolin - maybe you have a slight intolerance. If Proraso is OK, try similar products and see if they work just as well whilst keeping the same routine and just one variable.

Something I would try is perhaps a heavier balm/moisturiser to avoid dry skin.

That's interesting. Any other soaps or creams with Lanolin you can think of?

I was thinking of finding a good moisturiser.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by kevinred

That's interesting. Any other soaps or creams with Lanolin you can think of?

I was thinking of finding a good moisturiser.

Thanks.

Hi Kevin
Try the red capped Eucerin. Stay with Nivea after the shave and then during the day use a small spot (pea size) of Eucerin on the face. You may need more if your skin is very dry. Works for me. YMMV.

There are several Eucerin creams. The red cap is the thinnest and absorbs the quickest. You can also try ones for really dry skin. I always apply the red capped Eucerin before bed.
Good luck
Dave

There's obviously a larger principle that Kevinred is working with, & that I need to remember: change only one variable at a time.

If I want to try a new cream, I shouldn't also be experimenting with cold shaving. If I'm experimenting with cold shaving, I shouldn't tack on an untried aftershave balm. If I'm testing a troublesome newly-honed blade, I should test it with only my tried-and-true kit.

I, um, need to be reminded of this from time to time.

I use two washes of witch hazel and then Nivea. I have suffered with razor burn on my neck for decades. With the post Nivea, I have no burn at all. The Nivea solved the issue. I wish I had found it a long time ago.

Originally Posted by kevinred

Recently i have learned another valuable lesson…..

It's true I like many believed shaving with a straight razor would give me fantastic results and less skin irritation, but recently I wasn't getting the results I wanted, but knew I could achieve.

I have been shaving with a straight for a relatively short time but I know I can get repeatable results every time. I realise shaving everyday is possible and the shave doesn't need to be BSS in fact a 2 pass DFS is preferable for me, but for optimal results a three pass shave every other day will give me an achievable and repeatable BSS with no irritation. I have also discovered that a BSS is only preferable when spending "close time" with the wife, otherwise it's not worth attempting as visually a DFS and a BSS are too close to call.

I know this because as I learned straight shaving I stuck with one soap and one aftershave. I started with Proraso green cream and Old spice aftershave. If I used a balm it was Nivea Sensitive skin balm. I had used this combo for ages with no ill effects, So like I say tried and tested.

So back then the only variables daily where my skill and the edge of the razor. Some days cuts, Irritation, bumps, weepers other days a DFS with no irritation at all. All down to the learning curve, if I hacked I paid.

However recently something changed, extra sensitive skin became my norm, even though I was getting buttery smooth shaves. So what changed, how did I get here?

I believe it's because I started acquiring lots of soaps and smells that are regularly talked about on here. I read of people rotating their products and using whatever they fancied on that particular day. I did the same with a mixed bag of products. The only problem with this is I now have a load of untested or tried products and consequently have suffered with dryer skin, and am more prone to irritation even though my shaving and honing/stropping skills are much better. In fact I got hot the other night (several hours after shaving) and my skin decided to look like post "my first ever" shavette shave with added alcohol splash. Not good. Not comfortable.

So last week I decided to stick to one soap, to apply one known balm and a cologne and see how things went. I opted for Mitchel's Wool Fat. Nivea sensitive Skin Balm (no alcohol), and cologne behind the gills not on the chops. My purpose to evaluate the soap. The end of the week and my face is dry and tight. I know its not the Nivea as it's a tried and trusted product or is it the cologne as I have not applied it to my face, So It seems MWF is the reason and consequently It will go on the shelf for a while and be used again for a week or so later to see if the experience with dryness is repeatable. If it is it will go.

This week I have gone back to my original Proraso cream and so far my skin feels better and less tight I have a couple more days to go but I'm confident It will return my skin to normal. Im still using the Nivea sensitive skin balm and colognes as I want to be sure the dryness will disappear.

I guess what I'm trying to say is if your struggling with irritation and sensitive skin, is it your technique or new products that are causing you issues. All soaps and products are not equal for all men.

It seems to me, I need to use my noodle, and when I add a new product I should stick with it for several days to evaluate it properly. This way I will get to know my products and their effects on my skin, and eventually I will have a rotation of the greatest soaps and products that my skin truly loves.

So my aim this year will be to find a range of products and scents that I love and my skin loves too.

Anybody else had similar experiences?

I have yet to use a straight razor. But I do have a suggestion as far as skin goes. I believe a lot of outer conditioning of the skin is the result of interior conditioning of the body.

I think that skin is usually healthier when the person with skin reactions intakes an adequate amount of water on a regular basis. A lot of problems, especially with those that take medicines, can be alleviated by water intake.

If I were you, no matter what creams or soap you use, I would try to intake one gallon of water a day for a week straight. You would have to break the gallon down in increments, but it is do-able. It must be bottled spring or even distilled water.

But never tap water.

Along with this, if you have the good fortune of not being dependent on medicine, (insulin ect), some vitamins like C and D will help. This along with regular intake of Brazil nuts.

If you do this I would bet your external appearance and skin health will be at an all time high. And your shaving experience much better. Set aside a week to do this and see if it helps.

This is truly a YMMV sport. For example, using MFW always leaves my skin feeling soft and supple, much more so than most other soaps. But I also realize that many others have had adverse reactions to a product that I find completely benign.

As well, though it might be of little consequence, IIRC Nivea sensitive is actually not alcohol free. Either way I've used it for years and enjoy it too.

Originally Posted by kevinred

It seems to me when I add a new product I should stick with it for several days to evaluate it properly. This way I will get to know my products and their effects on my skin, and eventually I will have a rotation of the greatest soaps and products that my skin truly loves.

I can't agree more with the above statement. I've long said that we should use a new product continuously for a period to evaluate its effectiveness. Only through experimentation and changing variables one at a time can we build the perfect collection of products that work best for us individually.

MWF never dried my face out and at one time it was the only thing I was using. Its funny I found that Proraso, the original formula, had the drying out effect you mentioned. Though I have only tried the Red and White Prorasos in the new formulations. I think they are great. I think all my issues, if I do have any, are due to honing. If I mess up an edge it will irritate the crap out of me. Of course, it would not lead to my skin drying out but irritation. I think the edge is fine but in reality it is not. It cuts hair but does damage to the epidermis too.

Originally Posted by Mach7

I have yet to use a straight razor. But I do have a suggestion as far as skin goes. I believe a lot of outer conditioning of the skin is the result of interior conditioning of the body.

I think that skin is usually healthier when the person with skin reactions intakes an adequate amount of water on a regular basis. A lot of problems, especially with those that take medicines, can be alleviated by water intake.

If I were you, no matter what creams or soap you use, I would try to intake one gallon of water a day for a week straight. You would have to break the gallon down in increments, but it is do-able. It must be bottled spring or even distilled water.

But never tap water.

Along with this, if you have the good fortune of not being dependent on medicine, (insulin ect), some vitamins like C and D will help. This along with regular intake of Brazil nuts.

If you do this I would bet your external appearance and skin health will be at an all time high. And your shaving experience much better. Set aside a week to do this and see if it helps.

I drink about 4-5 litres a day of filtered rainwater. We have no running water here, except for collected rainwater. Its pretty hot and I often find my self getting dehydrated especially when I work. I do try to drink much more than I need here, and I do need to be more disciplined at work.

Thanks for your advice.